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Actuary Career Guide

Actuaries analyse data to assess financial risks and help organisations make informed decisions about insurance, pensions, and long-term planning. They use mathematics, statistics, and modelling to predict future events and ensure financial stability. As industries increasingly rely on precise risk evaluation, the demand for qualified actuaries continues to grow. Here’s what the role involves and how to prepare for it.

The key points

  • Entry requirements Post-baccalaureate level training in Accounting, Finance or Management
  • Average salary Average annual starting salary (between 42,000 and 51,000 euros gross per year)
  • Miniature horloge Duties Design insurance or savings products - Set the rules and pricing schedules - Analyze profitability
  • Miniature discussion Skills Rigor - Analytical spirit - Problem-solving skills - Teamwork ability
  • Miniature sacoche Career progression Product technical manager - Asset manager - Administrative and Financial Director (DAF)
  • Pictogramme campus ISC Paris courses Bachelor Banking and Finance - Master Expertise, Audit and Control - MSc Finance and risk management

What does an Actuary do?

Although relatively unknown, actuaries (Rome Code C1105) are experts in statistics and finance, specialising in risk assessment in the insurance and banking sectors.

This expert is an essential pillar responsible for predicting the profitability of a company’s insurance products (health, home, etc.) and financial products (life insurance, savings, etc.). Through their analyses, actuaries establish balanced rates and anticipate financial risks to ensure the sustainability of the organisation where they work.

They generally work for an insurance company, a banking and financial institution, or a pension and provident fund.

There are several ways to enter this profession:

  • After completing a licence or bachelor’s degree, followed by experience in the insurance and finance sector;
  • With a master’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics or statistics, or with a professional MSc.
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How are actuaries positioned in companies?

According to the latest figures from the Institute of Actuaries, these professionals mainly work in three sectors:

  • Insurance (49%)
  • Consulting (18%)
  • Finance (11%)

As such, actuaries can work in a variety of different organisations:

How to become an actuary?

Access to the actuarial profession is possible with a three-year or five-year degree.

  • After secondary school

You can start a five-year actuarial degree directly by enrolling at a university. You can also opt for a multidisciplinary programme by starting with a degree in mathematics or a specialized bachelor’s degree. At ISC Paris, we offer a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, recognized as a Licence degree.

  • Master’s degree level

In France, actuaries with a Master’s degree are highly valued in the job market. We therefore advise you to continue your studies with a Master’s degree, a specialized Master’s degree or a Master of Science degree.

If you want an internationally recognized degree, you can choose the MSc in Finance and Risk Management at ISC Paris. This professional programme alternates between classes and immersion in a company to enable you to master the challenges of actuarial science in the field.

Trainings to become an Actuary proposed by ISC Paris

STUDY AT ISC PARIS…
with a Bachelor’s program
STUDY AT ISC PARIS…
with a Master Accounting & Auditing
STUDY AT ISC PARIS…
with MSc Finance & Risk Management

The main tasks of an Actuary

1. Designing insurance or savings products: Actuaries develop insurance solutions tailored to customers and the market. They can create home or health insurance policies at carefully calculated prices if they believe this meets policyholders’ expectations.

2. Setting pricing rules and scales: This professional is responsible for establishing rates and rules (regulations, reimbursement, etc.) based on various data, including risk assessment. Actuaries must ensure adequate coverage while maintaining the company’s growth.

3. Analysing profitability: The actuary excels at analysing reports. They regularly assess the performance of insurance and savings products in the short, medium and long term. They analyse data, identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations for adjusting commercial strategies.

The actuary excels at analysing reports. They regularly assess the performance of insurance and savings products in the short, medium and long term. They analyse data, identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations for adjusting commercial strategies.

What skills do you need to be an Actuary?

  • Be comfortable with numbers: Actuaries must have a high level of mathematical ability and master statistics and probability rules. Knowledge of law is also essential in order to understand the regulations that govern the market.
  • Ability to synthesize and analyse: Actuaries make decisions based on accurate information. With a data-centric approach, they must be able to collect and analyse large amounts of information.
  • Proficiency in English: Actuaries often have to compare solutions with their foreign equivalents or international competitors. Proficiency in English is a major asset in an increasingly globalized field.
  • Communication skills: within a company, actuaries may be responsible for coordinating and managing a team. They must therefore have managerial skills, as well as communication and negotiation skills.
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What are the career opportunities for an actuary?

In France, as elsewhere, the actuarial profession offers several career development opportunities:

HOW MUCH DOES A DATA ANALYST EARN
What is the salary of a junior data analyst ?
The average starting salary for a data analyst is €40,000 gross per year, or €3,300 gross per month. To this salary must be added a variable component of around €3,000 per year, based on bonuses earned during the year.
The remuneration of a data analyst varies according to the sector of activity, the size of the company and the years of experience.
HOW MUCH DOES A DATA ANALYST EARN
What is the salary of a senior data analyst ?
A data analyst with more than 6 years’ experience earns an annual salary of around €50,000 gross. The variable component ranges from €2,000 to €6,000 gross per year, depending on the company. A senior data analyst may also be entitled to a thirteenth and fourteenth month’s salary.